2 year old started 'acting up' What do I do?

[Coldhands]

My lovely little boy (2) has started saying no to everything we ask him to do. He keeps chucking stuff around on the floor that he isn't even playing with (our stuff as well, not just his). If we ask him to pick it up, he just says no and walks off. Before, taking his favourite train etc always did the trick. Now he just goes and gets something else. I tell him he won't watch his favourite programme and he just says yes like he doesn't care about me taking the programme away. I try ignoring him and reading (he always hated being ignored) but now he just goes and plays and doesn't even notice that I am ignoring him!

I can't really do the naughty step, I feel he is a bit young to understand and our stairs are in the front room. I tried counting to 3 which at first really worked well, now he thinks it is a game.

Its soooo frustrating for my lovely, well behaved little boy to have become like this (which I know is totally normal for his age). Mainly he is still lovely, it is just these few issues.

Any ideas on how to deal with it?

what about accentuating the good behaviour?
Overly praising and treating the niceness till he gets that life is sweeter when you're well behaved?

(Mind you, my hubby is having a talk with my 3 at the mo about behaviour so maybe you shouldn't get Parenting advice from me)

Lol at your second post. We do praise him a lot. We are really going for it at the moment when he is doing something nice and if he does pick something up, we make sure we drop what we are doing and play with him. I suppose as it is a recent thing, I have to be patient (not my strong point). But we have always praised him a lot as we were always keen to ignore the bad and take notice of the good.

I am having the exact same thing with my 2yo. Some days are fine. Other days everything is a battle and it is just so draining. I'll be watching your thread with interest.

Thanks Mama, its always nice to know that there are others going through the exact thing. I just know I'm not handling it that well. Especially when I am pre menstrual as I was last week. It was bloody horrendous!

I too am having the same thing with DS (27 months old). Some days are fine but some days seem to be an endless battle, and all he ever says is 'no'. On bad days I count down the hours til bedtime, and console myself with the fact that it won't last forever.
No advice I'm afraid, but just want you to know you're not alone. I will watch this thread with interest for tips.

It is so hard at times. Anyone who thinks this Parenting lark is easy is so deluded.
I adore mine and am SAHM and wouldn't want it any other way but they drive me MAD some days!
He's testing his boundaries at the minute, just wants to see who's the boss

I would keep up the praise for good behaviour, and treat the NOs with cheerful firmness with no hint of shock or annoyance. Cheerful firmness means getting right down to face level and actually holding him to prevent him from walking away, but no loud shouting. Part of this is that he has noticed that NO provokes a reaction he has a little power over you when he says the magic word. The tossing of toys might mean the same thing mummy gets annoyed; DS has her trained ever so well. The trick is consistency and constant vigilance.

Maybe he needs a bit more stimulation? How much time does he spend amusing himself and how much time doing things with you, such as 'helping' with tidying, art, out to play or for walks, etc? Children like activities with parents, especially something simple like bread-making, and they like the idea that they can 'help' a grown-up.

There's also the brill 1-2-3 Magic method which has a lot going for it. It came out too late for me with my DCs but I know a huge family that uses it very effectively.

Yet another 2.3yo here who seems to want to battle all the time! He wants his teddy ("right NOW!"), but then throws it away with a "Don't like my teddy bear!". then cries for it....ad infinitum!! He doesn't like ANYTHING- me, his sisters, his trousers, his shoes, his breakfast.. Sigh. It does get very wearing, but as he is dc no. 3, I am confident that he will soon realise the futility of battle with me, like they did! (hope hope!) I try to humour him and laugh surreptitiously. It's a traumatic time being 2, it seems!

Wow - I could have written all these posts about the difficult toddler. Mine is 2 and I'm exhausted. I have an 11 week old DS and I have been thinking that perhaps I shouldn't have had children which is a bit unplesant.

The NOISE and general disagreement about everything is so wearing. My DH is in the process of asking for some more help from his parents especially at bathtime. Not sure why i'm writing this but there's comfort in knowing I'm not alone

I mean I have a 2yo DD and 11 week old DS. My son does not disagree with everything yet!